Congratulations to all - by Jeff Eisen

the Stem Cell Page

time and ignorance are the enemies

Congratulations to all

Thanks go to Michael, a stogie for Rush and a toast to Tom

November 8, 2006

Exhausted. Exhilarated. Emotional.

I’m beginning to comprehend what it must be like to ascend to the peak of Mt. Everest and watch the sun rise over the horizon. And it’s beautiful.

For me, here in my little corner of Missouri, it was a sweep. In my district, my county and my state, all my stem cell candidates and issues won at the polls.

Barb Fraser

Fraser was elected to the County Council. Believe it or not, she ran a county campaign on the stem cell issue. She pressed hard, allocating direct mailings to the medical possibilities and their economic impact to our region. When her opponent took no stand on the issue, Barb beat both the odds and the popular incumbent.

Charlie Dooley

Charlie won reelection as County Executive. It was a distinct pleasure when I personally signed up Charlie as a member of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. It was also a bit of fun. I told him that I would personally pay his membership fee and he said, “No, no, I’ll pay that myself. How much is it?” I guess he was a little concerned it might be considered a bribe, but I confessed that it was free. He didn’t believe me. “No, really,” he protested. “How much do I owe?” It took me five minutes to convince him there really was no charge.

A veteran himself, Charlie wants no stone unturned in helping today’s vets – and he views supporting stem cell research as an important component. Hey, Charley: We all love you and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.

Jake Zimmerman

Jake will be my next state representative. Jake had it a bit easier, running unopposed, but as his recent editorial revealed, the stem cell issue became more personal than political when he lost his Aunt Jane during the campaign season. I always knew we could count on Jake’s pro-cure votes in the state house, but now I know that when any legislation is proposed, he’ll not only be thinking of his constituents but also of Jane – and he’ll do great honor to her memory.

Joan Bray

Bray, my state senator, also won reelection. She has been unwavering in her support of stem cell research and publicly outspoken about the need to pass Amendment 2. She had even expressed a ‘Jerry Maguire’ type plea, a sort of “Help me help you,” so that she could be assured that the opposition’s annually proposed, extreme anti-stem cell legislation would be vacated and vanquished once and for all.

William “Lacy” Clay

Lacy, a supporter of HR810 retains his seat in the U.S. Congress. He’s been a vocal advocate of Amendment 2 and constantly reminded us of both the human benefits of medical advances and economic blessings our biotech industries bestow upon our district. As a Catholic in Archbishop Burke’s diocese, Lacy’s stand was courageous.

Amendment 2

It’s officially now to be part and parcel of our Missouri Constitution. Missouri researchers will no longer have to worry about being prosecuted as criminals under scrutiny of future law. Our state can now welcome new enterprises and researchers to endeavor to find treatments and cures for 100 million Americans. And if they are found, Missourians won’t have to travel to other states to receive them.

Claire McCaskill

Several months back I met with Richard Martin, Claire’s campaign manager. He explained that he knew little about stem cells, but with the Amendment proposal poised for the ballot he thought it best to learn something about them. I spoke. He took notes. He asked questions. I answered. He took more notes.

We arranged for a meeting with some of his staffers. It was about an hour and a half to provide them a basic understanding of stem cells, a glance into what I believed would become a pivotal issue in the race. I’m not sure that Richard truly believed it back then or if he thought it might just be a sideshow, but one that the McCaskill camp should be ready to address with a bit of knowledge. It doesn’t matter. He was preparing for either eventuality.

Nobody could have predicted that Michael J. Fox would volunteer to jump into the fray. And who could have possibly foreseen that Rush Limbaugh would respond so ignorantly and in doing so, draw the issue to the forefront of national political awareness? But in retrospect, I’m so pleased that Richard and I met back then. I’m happy that Fox included Claire’s campaign in his mission. But most of all, I’m thrilled that Claire made the decision early on to support Amendment 2 and to push the pro-cures agenda. We have a great new voice in the senate.

To Michael J. Fox:

Words cannot express the debt of gratitude we owe you. Any written attempt here would undoubtedly prove less than adequate.

To Rush Limbaugh:

I’m going to send you a fine cigar on behalf of the pro-cures community. An accompanying note will read, “Thanks. We couldn’t have done it without your blatant insensitivity and moral bankruptcy.”

And finally, to Tom:

Thank you for the inspiration of your positive attitude, for never giving up hope. Know that many good people fought long and hard on your behalf and on behalf of millions like you - and know that the fight will continue.

I love you, brother. And I raise a glass to toast your now brighter future!

- Jeff Eisen

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